Leicestershire saloon car racer Paul Streather, the 2010 MGCC MG Trophy Champion, will make the step-up to the Michelin Clio Cup Race Series this year after leasing a race-winning 2.0-litre Clio from his step brother-in-law, Renault UK Clio Cup front-runner Lee Pattison.

The 24-year-old from Hinckley, son of former Alfa Romeo Champion Dave Streather, will enter the hugely popular Clio Cup Race Series with his self-run Paul Streather Motorsport squad and is aiming to be competitive from the off after a stellar career so far in ‘tin tops’.

Starting out in karting in the ranks of Junior TKM, before graduating into Senior Rotax, Streather made his car racing debut in the 2010 MGCC MG Trophy Championship and stunned the category regulars by winning the overall title at his first attempt as well as the Class C crown – in the latter, he won all 12 contests to cap a remarkable maiden season.

Moving into Class B the following year, he ended the championship second overall and was then third in the outright standings in 2012. Having taken a year away from racing, Streather is now relishing his return to competitive action in the ultra-popular Michelin Clio Cup Race Series.

“I am really excited to be moving into the Michelin Clio Cup Race Series and taking the next step in furthering my racing career at a higher level”, commented the category newcomer, “It will be a good challenge, on and off of the track, and I am looking forward to racing against some top drivers and competing against the professional teams in the paddock.”

Michelin Clio Cup Race Series enters its first year as a full championship in 2014, welcoming a large influx of cars and teams from the sister British Touring Car Championship supporting Renault UK Clio Cup. The championship will begin at Rockingham in Northamptonshire on April 5 and 6.